By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Yousry Nasrallah
Starring: Bassem Samra | Menna Shalabi | Nahed El SebaĂŻ | Salah Abdallah
Original language title: Baad el Mawkeaa
Country: egypt, france
Year: 2012
Running time: 116
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2368599/
Bruce says: “Having seen Yousry Nasrallah’s earlier films THE AQUARIUM and SCHEHERAZADE: TELL ME A STORY, I now know what to expect. His films tell multiple stories, usually involving clashes between classes, religious groups and the old and new Egypt. AFTER THE BATTLE is a story about an educated Western-style Egyptian woman who becomes involved in a peasant class struggle, one that she precipitates by her own foolish actions. Unlike his previous films AFTER THE BATTLE was
filmed unscripted; much of the dialogue is improvisation. AFTER THE BATTLE is Nasrallah’s knee-jerk response to The Battle of the Camel, when peasants from Nazlat stormed Tahir Square on camel and horseback and attacked demonstrators. The peasants were unaware of the issues and were simply following orders from local leaders who have a huge interest in maintaining the status quo.
“Natives of Nazlat used to make a good living from tourists visiting the nearby pyramids. With pressure from corporate interests, the Egyptian government built a wall cutting off Nazlat from the tourist trade. No longer can horsemen take tourists by horse or camel to the pyramids; souvenir shops which were the backbone of the community are now closed or idle.
“Reem visits her friend Dr. Dina, a fellow environmentalist and animal rights advocate. With her they attend a local dressage competition in Nazlat. Reem instantly connects with Mohammad, one of the horsemen who is now disgraced after his foray into Tahir where he was knocked off his horse and beaten by the angry crowd, the whole mishap gone viral on YouTube. Their chemistry is strong; eyebrows are raised when Reem disappears for most of the competitive events. Reem, who is separated
from her husband, can’t get Mohammed out of her mind. Subsequently she creates a project to take fodder to the village of Nazlat so that the animals of the area do not starve. This boils down to a case of ‘what was she thinking?’ A sophisticated woman such as Reem should know that her seemingly innocent flirtation followed by an act of kindness would have untold consequences.
“Eventually she bonds with Mohammed’s wife who is fascinated by Reem in spite of her knowing that Reem has been involved with her husband. Reem is shocked when it is suggested she become Mohammed’s second wife. Mohammed’s son is having problems at school because of his father. Haj, the local godfather is displeased that outsiders are showing interest in village politics.
“Nasrallah understands that gender roles and class rules are difficult to reposition, particularly among the uneducated. Egyptian culture is more complicated than even the knowledgeable realize. In Nasrallah’s words, ‘There are no shortages of generals and presidents who claim they know what is good for the people.’ Many good people are caught in the intricate web of power, politics and religion. Some people complain that AFTER THE BATTLE is a bit rough around the edges. I feel that creating a story around current events is a monumental achievement. Certainly this story has fewer flaws that many recent high profile films with less-than-adequate scripts. Nasrallah has a way of driving to the core issues surrounding the human condition. 4 cats
“(AFTER THE BATTLE screened at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival.)”
Thom says: “What I liked especially about this film was the education it gave me about the recent conflagration in Egypt and stressing the very complicated, intertwined political considerations that the current situation in Egypt portends. Mahmoud is a horse trainer who gave tours of the pyramids before the recent revolution nixed nearly all tourists coming to Egypt. Even worse he’s been ostracized by his community after falling in the attack on Tahir Square after being ordered to attend by the Egyptian government henchmen. He meets Reem, a modern-thinking young divorcee at a dressage tournament and they start a very complicated and unwise affair. They come from far different lives and social strata and when Reem gets involved with Mahmoud’s family political sparks fly and all involved will never be the same. Apparently much of the dialogue was written as the film progressed and I came out of it with deep concern for the future of Egypt. 4 cats”